Murderer found guilty of raping young woman

A convicted murderer was today found guilty of raping a woman in her 20s five weeks before he strangled a transsexual prostitute.

Neil McMillan, 43, killed Andrea Waddell, 29, in Brighton last October before setting fire to her body.

He was jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years at Lewes Crown Court in June after being convicted of the crime.

Today McMillan was found guilty of raping a woman in Brighton five weeks before by Old Bailey jurors - who were not told about the murder.

After McMillan's previous convictions were revealed today, Judge Stephen Kramer told them: "Don't feel you have been deprived of important information that would have assisted you.

"You tried the case as you heard and saw in court as you were bound to do."

The court heard that the victim had gone to McMillan's room to collect money he owed her in September last year but he raped her.

He was remanded in custody to be sentenced on November 22 and may face life or an indeterminate jail term.

The court heard that McMillan, originally from Dumfriesshire, spent more than £100 an hour on prostitutes in Brighton whom he contacted through websites, and arranged to pay £140 for an hour to visit Ms Waddell before killing her.

Oliver Dunkin, prosecuting, said: "The motive was unknown save that it was a sudden loss of temper, either on the discovery that she was transgender or her inability to perform sexually for him.

"Whatever the motive, he strangled with his hands for at least 20 seconds, crushing structures in her neck.

"He dragged her on to the bed before setting fire to it and her. He went home to the flat he was renting to wash his clothes and shower."